Can Arsenal manhandle the Magpies?
After a dispiriting defeat to Stoke, one in which we very nearly shipped four goals in the first half alone, we’ve rebounded in fine form, scoring five goals in 60 minutes, starting with Cazorla’s 67th minute penalty against Stoke and culminating with Ramsey’s 28thminute wonder-strike against Galatasaray. It may even feel as if we’re turning a corner—but so too have Newcastle.
The question then becomes, can we put them back on their Geordie arses, or will we end the weekend trailing Toon (not to mention Swansea and Liverpool and/or Tottenham)?
We do owe them a bit of a favor, after all, although it’s not likely to influence our efforts. Newcastle saw off Chelsea 2-1 last weekend, so we can set aside the fretting over an amoral assault on the Invincibles’ record, at least for another season.
On the other hand, we may have a new contender in Newcastle, who have overcome a sluggish start to win seven of their last nine, defeating in the process Tottenham and Man City away as well as Liverpool and Chelsea at St. James’ Park. They now sport a record and points-haul identical to ours, with only our superior goal-differential to separate us. Make no mistake—this is not a Toon side to be underestimated.
Papiss Demba Cissé has done his part of late, bagging a brace against the Blues and adding a key equaliser against Hull the week before. An impressive defensive stolidity has also been vital; Toon have conceded only five goals in their last nine matches, keeping five clean sheets in the process. So stalwart have they been that even losing keeper Tim Krul to a long-term injury hasn’t slowed them down.
At our end, we will likely go in without the rejuvenated Ramsey, who had tallied three goals and two assists in his last three matches. The latest news sees him missing out the next four weeks, leaving us to recall Francis Coquelin from his loan. With Arteta and Wilshere out, and with Flamini potentially unavailable, we may have little choice but to play Coquelin. Koscielny's tendinitis threatens to deprive us of his services, meaning we might go in with Debuchy playing centre-back alongside Mertesacker, with Gibss and Bellerin wide.
At our end, we will likely go in without the rejuvenated Ramsey, who had tallied three goals and two assists in his last three matches. The latest news sees him missing out the next four weeks, leaving us to recall Francis Coquelin from his loan. With Arteta and Wilshere out, and with Flamini potentially unavailable, we may have little choice but to play Coquelin. Koscielny's tendinitis threatens to deprive us of his services, meaning we might go in with Debuchy playing centre-back alongside Mertesacker, with Gibss and Bellerin wide.
However—prepare yourself for the irony, perhaps even savor it—Newcastle will come in with an injury-list longer than ours. Santon, de Jong, Obertan, Gutierrez, Taylor, Krul, Aarons, and Eliot have been ruled out. Coloccini faces a late fitness test. Add to that the fact that Taylor and Sissoko will serve match-bans, and Pardew will be hard-pressed to field a side that can sustain the current run they’re on.
Then again, most of these players were absent from Newcastle’s win over Chelsea (only Taylor, Coloccini, and Sissoko featured), so we should still be wary. Most intriguing, perhaps, will be keeper Jak Alnwick’s Prem premier—he came on to face Chelsea in the second half and was accused of an error that led to Drogba’s goal; he was out to sea on Fabregas’s set-piece, all but gifting the goal. However, I’m not stating that Alnwick is not quite ready for prime-time. After all, it’s one thing to ride the bench and be pressed into action on short notice. It’s quite another to have a full week to prepare.
Off the pitch, Alan Pardew made a few waves when he suggested that Arsenal rename the Emirates after Arsène, adding in that Arsène is "the best manager in Premier League history"—after Alex Ferguson. He's also suggested that Arsène is a miracle-worker for managing the financing of the new stadium while keeping us in the Champions League. Whether he means it or is merely blowing smoke is between Alan and his shrink.
Off the pitch, Alan Pardew made a few waves when he suggested that Arsenal rename the Emirates after Arsène, adding in that Arsène is "the best manager in Premier League history"—after Alex Ferguson. He's also suggested that Arsène is a miracle-worker for managing the financing of the new stadium while keeping us in the Champions League. Whether he means it or is merely blowing smoke is between Alan and his shrink.
One thing’s clear: we’ll have to test Alnwick early and often on Saturday. No sense letting the lad build up any false confidence. The highest we can climb this weekend is fifth—one spot higher than we currently sit—but it’s one step closer to a loftier goal.
LAST 3:
- Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle (28.04.2014)
- Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal (29.12.2013)
- Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal (19.05.2013)
FACTFILE
- These two clubs first clashed on 2 September 1893—a 2-2 draw.
- Arsenal have outscored Newcastle 12-4 over the last five fixtures.
- Olivier Giroud has scored four goals in four appearances against Newcastle.
INJURIES
- Özil, Ospina, Diaby, Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, and Walcott are all ruled out. Chambers will serve a one-match suspension for earning his fifth caution of the season. Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, and Rosický face late fitness tests.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
- Szczesny; Gibbs, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Bellerin; Flamini, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck; Giroud.
We may have to field a makeshift XI but the chance to create more space between us and the likes of Newcastle, Liverpool, and Tottenham is too crucial to pass up.
SCORELINE PREDICTION
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle.
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle.